Feb 21, 2018 Conditions Report – Brrrr-aap

Feb 21, 2018

If you like to explore, conditions seem auspicious for travel this week in Golden BC. Pack an extra balaclava however, because the temps are cold! Please be aware of new trail conditions in Quartz to accommodate for logging operations.

How It’s Been:
Not going to lie, it has been painfully cold the last couple of days. There’s been some great sledding too. When it’s clear and stable, you can go for miles and miles.

Kinda near Quartz Creek.

Poppin pillows in powder. Yup. Photo @sledbiglines

Weather

We had between 15-30 cms this week, depending on where you ventured. In some spots it felt like more.

Forecast near Quartz on Feb 21

Snow

We’ve had approximately 40-50 cms of snow last week and there’s about 15 cms more in the forecast.

Avalanche Risk

Road Safety

Using a VHF radio on active logging roads is an essential part of having a safe day. Please watch our road safety video to learn more.

Economic Impact Study

Don’t be surprised if you are asked to fill out a survey at one of our trail heads. We are conducting an Economic Impact Study this winter. We’re hopeful the results of this study will help us get more funding to continue to make snowmobiling infrastructure better. Thank you for your patience.

Events

GT OR DIE: Great news! We’ve announced Saturday April 14th as the date for this year’s GT or DIE races! It’s going to be a good time and there’s expanded events for kids during the early part of the day.

GT or Die gathering is on April 14th.

Trail Areas

Quartz Creek

Conditions: Compact snow and settled powder in the trees.

Grooms scheduled: Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Fees: $25

Parking: Cleared daily, easier now that the snow has slowed down!

Road: New access road has been plowed for logging operations - see below**

Additional notes:

Quartz has seen heavy traffic but is still giving up a few powder stashes. Firewood has been re-stocked. The new stove we put in the cabin is not functioning as well as we hoped. Keep the door closed to preserve heat.

**Please note that logging operations have started in Quartz up to the first gate (approx 3km). Right now there are preparation crews on site. Riders need to stay off the road and on the trail on the side. This is critical. There will not be much traffic until early March. We will have to share access to Quartz with the loggers this spring.

Gorman Lake

Conditions: Compacted powder on main trails.

Grooms scheduled: Saturday

Fees: $25

Parking: Cleared

Road: Road was graded on Friday, Feb 16. Proceed with caution.

Additional notes: The road to Gorman has been graded but could still be icy, please proceed with caution. The riding is good in spots less travelled.

Silent Pass

Conditions: Compact snow

Grooms scheduled: Thursday, Sunday

Fees: $25

Parking: Parking at 21km.

Road: Road was graded on Feb 15 - should be good to go for a while.

Additional notes:

The road to Silent is significantly improved with some grader service on Feb 15. We’re still parking at the 21 km but now it’s easier to get there.

Lots of snow in the zone once you get there.

Westbench Trail

Conditions: Single track from Quartz to Wiseman. Wiseman to Gorman has been partially groomed.

Grooms scheduled: Often groomed on weekends

Fees: $25

Parking: Gorman or Quartz (see above)

Additional notes: Watch for the broken groomer on the side of the trail. We will groom again once we can get the groomer serviced.